I am a confirmed moderate in all things. I believe that the truth usually can be found in the middle between opposing sides, and I generally think that extremists on the right and the left are equally looney.

This is not a good time for moderates. We are constantly being challenged to take up one extreme position or another. We must either loathe Donald Trump or idolize him. We have to either be convinced that the current pope is the Anti-Christ or hail him as infallible in everything he says or does. We must either condemn Brett Kavanaugh as guilty unless and until proven innocent or conclude that he is the finest justice ever appointed to the Supreme Court.

It’s all madness.

I am especially disheartened by the attacks on Pope Francis and on other Church leaders I know personally. I do not agree with everything the pope and bishops say or do. I have witnessed first-hand serious mistakes in judgment made by both Church and civil leaders. That simply reminds me that everyone of us is human. No one belongs on a pedestal to be worshipped from afar.

But the vile, viscious, ugly attacks against our political and religious leaders are not only unjustified; they are signs of a deep soul sickness. Our Church and our nation are in desperate need of healing. The longer we continue on the current roads, the closer we will come to schism in the Church and a civil cold war in our nation.

The Lord prayed that we would be one—as he and the Father are one in the Holy Spirit. There is no more urgent need. Unity in diversity (e pluribus unum) must be our battle cry. As long as we are divided, we are weak. Until we set aside our differences, forgive one another’s sins, and begin to work together for the common good, we are lost.

Moderation in all things—but especially in politics and religion. It’s the only way to survive the madness.